Leveling kit or Bilstein 5100

I have always run leveling kits on my truck and I've never had an issue. But I have been reading and a lot of people are running the 5100's. I use my truck for work and hunting. I have a hunting lease with decent roads, mule deer hunt once a year in sandy conditions and go to colorado hunting twice a year on pretty terrible roads. With that being said, Which do you guys prefer and why?

 

Do yourself a solid and get the 5100s.

But if you do decide to get a spacer lift I have mine for sale. It’s a readylift 3/1.

 

I was going to do a leveling kit (ReadyLift 2.4”) but decided to spend a little more and just go with the Bilstein 5100 all around. This was my first truck so I don’t speak with experience of running both. I had mine put on a few weeks ago and all I can say is I am very happy with my Bilsteins, and I feel they handle better than stock. I like that you can adjust the front height to what fits your needs best, whereas with a spacer you can’t.

 

Stay away from spacer lift, especially off road use. Bad things can happen.

 

I have had 5100s for a couple years. No issues. I don’t really like the idea of spacers.

 

Have Toytec coil overs coming but I was looking at the stock UCA’s because I was planning to grease them when I did the install but I don’t see a zert....are these sealed and are just done when they are done or is the way to grease them?

 

If it's in your budget, go with the Bilstein 6112's over the 5100's. I've had both and the 6112's are far superior. Larger shock body and comes with a new spring.

 

Sealed.some guys get a grease needle and slip it between the boot and squirt it Into the boot but that’s a bit janky if you ask me. You might as well get yourself some UCAs with a serviceable ball joint.

 

OP. Lots of great advice in this forum and I don’t think many people advocate spacers on here for a few reasons except for pavement princesses.

spacers do nothing to help ride quality.
5100 and 6112(I recommend the 6112) will improve your ride.

also if you don’t extend you bump stops you can taco your shocks.

If you're off-roading I can almost assure you that you will regret spending money on a spacer lift right around the time you drop the money on the shocks like you should have.

 

Yeah I may do that when/if the stock ones fail but the coil overs that I am getting don’t require and only doing a 2” lift so hopefully won’t have any alignment issues. Thanks for the info!

 

Yes exactly. Let them get crusty and when they need to be serviced replace. I bet there’s all kinds of guys on here with stock upper control arms sitting in their garage collecting dust too. Have a great day my friend.

 

You as well, appreciate it!

 

I have done spacers, 5100s, and OME 612s on various Tundras. Currently running 5100s on middle and wish I had sprung for the 6112s or the OME 612s as I've recently started actually going offroad a little and want more aggressive lift and tires. Definitely don't settle and save for what you want.
Shameless pic of 5100s and 275/70s on my recent trip that convinced me I need armor and higher lift and bigger tires. Tundra did great but I was jealous of all the stuff my Jeep friends could do.

 

Appreciate all the fees back. Should mention that I’m currently running 285/55/20s and I am getting 285/65/20s put on tomorrow. It’s a tough decision because I’ve never had a problem with leveling kits and I don’t do any hard off-roading but I’ve also heard a lot of good things about the 5100s. Hmm.... decisions decisions

 

FWIW......When I ordered my Toytecs the gentleman I spoke to said the 5100’s are a little undersized and he also ranked the Toytecs a notch above the 6112’s as well. They had 10% off the Toytecs so not much of a difference in cost from the 6112’s plus had the red spring option. He was getting the sale regardless and they sell Bilstein as well so I took his recommendation.

 

Get the 5100’s. I’m like you as I don’t do hard off-roading. I hunt and do take the truck off the path, lots of mud roads and rock roads that are washed out getting to places. The 5100’s handle great. My truck is at the highest setting and not one issue in 5 months. I ran spacers on my last two trucks. They looked good and never gave me fits. I am happy I actually went the right route this time.

 

5100s top setting wrapped in 295/70 Nitto RG rides comparable to stock

 

I’ll have 5100s for sale in a couple weeks

 

Any wheel spacers needed to fit the 295s on the stock wheels? Love that look.

 

Howdy, check your PM

 

No but I’ve toyed the idea of getting some. Researching it now. It is really close to by UCAs but hasn’t effected anything. I’m only 1 day in since i had the setup done. I appreciate it thanks

 

If there are, I wanna buy a set lol

 

I didnt put any spacers on my stock TSS rims and I had 35s on them

 

I gave mine away to a member but I see them all the time here!

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/fs-trd-off-road-suspension-and-stock-uca.65121/

 

Yeah I ended up selling mine for $30 a long time ago

 

I had 5100s on my Tacoma and loved them. Have the Toytec leveling kit on my Tundra and haven't had any issues in 30k miles. If you want clearance spacers are fine if you are planning to do aggressive offloading I'd say spring for the 6112s. Just my opinion.